Instance-reduction algorithm for garbage-collected language

In an object oriented programming environment, a method for reducing object instances stored in memory, the method comprising:

• storing an object in an entry of a map having a key and a value if the object is not found in the map, the key for the entry being set to the object and the value for the entry being set to a weak reference to the object;
• and
• automatically deleting the object from the map if the object is no longer is use.

An object oriented programming system comprising:

• a memory storing a map having a plurality of entries, each entry including a key and a value;
• and
• an instance reduction engine coupled to the memory, characterized in that the instance reduction engine receives an object, searches the map for an equivalent object, and stores the object in an entry of the map if the search is unsuccessful, the key for the entry being set to the object for causing the object to be stored as a referent of a first weak reference and the value for the entry being set to a second weak reference for storing the object as a referent of the second weak reference.